Working with Eyes in Somatic Experiencing: Neurobiological Approach and Clinical Application

Working with eyes in Somatic Experiencing represents one of the most direct pathways for accessing deep patterns of dysregulation in the client’s physiology. Eyes are, in the fullest sense of the word, windows to the soul and the primary sensory organ that enables orientation in space and time. When traumatic stress disrupts normal visual system functioning, specific patterns emerge such as tunnel vision, eye blocking, or incomplete orienting and defensive responses that remain “frozen” in the organism.

The fundamental premise of eye work is that human beings represent primarily visual creatures whose nervous system has evolved to receive and process enormous amounts of visual information. Eyes, ears, and nose function as the “front end” of the nervous system that directly informs the ventral vagus about states of safety or danger in the environment. This immediate connection with the autonomic nervous system makes eye work particularly powerful as it enables access to the deepest levels of physiological organization.

Neurobiological Foundation of Eye Work

The ventral vagal system plays a key role in coordination between eye movements and movements of the head and neck. This connection is not accidental but reflects the basic organization of the nervous system in which the head and neck have a stronger relationship with the autonomic nervous system than other parts of the body. When we work with eyes, we directly affect the bidirectional ventral vagal system that simultaneously receives information from the environment and regulates our physiological responses.

Visual information travels through optic nerves to the thalamus, from where it is distributed to the primary visual cortex, but also to the limbic system where emotional content connected to what we see is processed. This complex network of anatomical connections explains why traumatic experiences often leave deep traces in the visual system and why eye work can be so transformative.

Trauma and the Visual System

Traumatic stress often results in specific disturbances of visual functioning that can include tunnel vision where a person loses the capacity for peripheral vision and focuses only on a narrow segment of the visual field. This adaptive response, which can be useful in moments of danger, becomes problematic when it becomes chronic and prevents normal orientation in a safe environment.

Coupling dynamics represent another important aspect of traumatic impact on the visual system. When eyes become “coupled” with a particular emotional or somatic state, they lose the flexibility needed for healthy regulation. Incomplete orienting and defensive responses also often manifest through the visual system because eyes play a key role in assessing danger and planning appropriate actions.

A particularly important aspect of eye work relates to attachment and bonding issues. Eye contact represents one of the most intimate forms of human communication and is directly connected to the capacity for healthy attachment. Trauma that disrupts the ability for eye contact often signals deeper disturbances in the attachment system that require careful therapeutic work.

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Containment and Coherence

One of the main goals of eye work is increasing the client’s capacity for containment, which Levine defines as “increased ability to expand in response to the inner pressure of activation.” Containment is not the same as control but represents the organic ability of the organism to remain present and regulated even in the presence of high levels of activation.

Coherence manifests through coordination between different physiological systems, especially breathing which connects with heart rate frequency, muscle tone, blood pressure, body movements, and brain waves. When eyes are integrated into this overall coherence, they enable natural orientation and flexible responding to changes in the environment.

Indications for Eye Work

Eye work should never be the first intervention in the therapeutic process. Several preparatory Somatic Experiencing sessions are needed during which stabilization is established, capacities for self-regulation are developed, and felt sense for safety is built. Only when the client has developed sufficient resilience and basic resources can direct eye work be approached.

Main indications include situations when regular SE work reaches a plateau and stops producing results, especially if symptoms appear or worsen precisely when the client sits upright and must use eyes for orientation. When eyes are truly “frozen” and standard interventions do not bring improvement, eye work can unlock blockages that prevent further progress.

It is especially indicated for improving quality of orientation in clients who show chronic hypervigilance or, conversely, chronic hypovigilance. Bonding and attachment problems also often require eye work, but it is important to note that basic attachment issues must first be addressed before approaching direct eye contact work.

Certain trauma categories respond particularly well to eye work. This includes accidents, horror scenes, medical interventions, and early trauma, including pre-, peri-, and postnatal trauma. However, early trauma requires special caution and should never be addressed at the beginning of therapy.

Contraindications and Precautions

Eye work represents a very direct intervention that can mobilize large amounts of energy in a short time. Therefore, there are clear contraindications that the therapist must respect. Traumatic brain injury represents an absolute contraindication for at least two years after the incident, and with concussion with retrograde amnesia, special caution is needed.

Epilepsy and other convulsive disorders are also contraindications as eye work can potentially trigger an epileptic seizure. Acute conditions or eye injuries, including laser operations that occurred in the last three months, require postponement of such intervention.

Clients with little resilience or those currently in a state of heavy dissociation are not appropriate candidates for eye work as this intervention can drive the system into even deeper dysregulation. Special caution is needed with early eye trauma or surgeries, when work can be conducted only when the client is sufficiently resourced.

Glaucoma requires medical treatment and represents a relative contraindication depending on the degree of illness and current treatment.

Practical Approach to Eye Work

Eye work follows all basic SE principles including deactivation through resourcing and pendulation, careful tracking of coupling dynamics and connections with neck, shoulders, and head, and rigorous titration as this work is very direct and can quickly activate deep content.

During work, special attention should be paid to whether the client wears glasses as they can affect the naturalness of eye movements. Best results are achieved using a stick instead of a finger as a stick is a more neutral object that less activates interpersonal dynamics.

Always begin in the client’s preferred direction and in the middle visual field before moving to peripheral zones. Systematically check all possible directions of eye movement including horizontal, vertical, and diagonal movements, circular movements, figure eights, and changes of focus between close and distant objects.

The first step always represents diagnosis during which areas of limited mobility, tension, or discomfort are identified. Only after all movement patterns are mapped do we approach the therapeutic process that follows SE principles of titration and gradual release of blocked energy.

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Tracking and Integration

During work, we continuously track the client’s capacity for containing the amount of energy being mobilized as excessive stimulation can drive the system into deeper dysregulation. It is important to wait for natural discharge processes and give time for released energy to distribute throughout the whole organism before moving to the next step.

Reorganization at the physiological level always comes first, and only then integration at cognitive and emotional levels. This sequence is crucial as it allows changes to become deeply rooted in the organism before the mind begins interpreting and potentially sabotaging them.

During work, spontaneous movements of head and neck may appear which represent completion of incomplete orienting and defensive responses. These movements should be supported and allowed to develop naturally instead of being interrupted or directed.

Different Patterns of Eye Movements

Horizontal movements are often connected with basic orientation and the process of scanning the environment for potential threats or resources. Limitations in horizontal movements can signal problems with sense of safety or hypervigilant patterns.

Vertical movements are connected with hierarchical relationships, sense of power and submissiveness. Upward eye movement often activates expansive and optimistic resources, while downward movement can access more introverted and receptive states.

Diagonal movements enable integration between different modalities and can be especially useful for working with fragmented traumatic materials. Circular movements and figure eights facilitate bilateral brain integration and can help create a sense of wholeness and continuity.

Changes of focus between near and far vision involve different anatomical structures and can address different types of traumatic content. Focusing on close objects often activates more intimate and vulnerable dynamics, while distant focus can support a sense of spaciousness and possibility.

Working with Different Directions

The systematic exploration of all possible eye movement directions serves both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. We begin with horizontal movements from left to right and right to left, observing any restrictions, hesitations, or discomfort. Vertical movements upward and downward are explored next, followed by diagonal movements in all four directions.

Circular movements clockwise and counterclockwise help assess the overall coordination of the extraocular muscles and can reveal asymmetries or stuck patterns. Figure eight movements, both horizontal and vertical, facilitate bilateral brain integration and are particularly useful for processing traumatic material.

Working with convergence and divergence, where eyes move toward and away from each other, can access different types of traumatic content related to intimacy, boundaries, and personal space. Near-far focus changes activate the accommodation system and can help with integration of different temporal and spatial aspects of traumatic experiences.

Integration with Nervous System Regulation

Throughout eye work, we continuously assess and support nervous system regulation. The goal is not simply to achieve full range of motion in all directions but to restore natural, fluid, coordinated movement that supports healthy orientation and defensive responses.

We track signs of sympathetic activation such as rapid breathing, muscle tension, or agitation, and signs of dorsal shutdown such as slowing down, spacing out, or loss of muscle tone. The therapeutic window is that middle zone where the client can experience activation while maintaining connection to their body and the present moment.

Discharge phenomena during eye work can be particularly intense and may include trembling, spontaneous movements, changes in breathing, or emotional release. These responses should be welcomed and supported while ensuring they do not overwhelm the client’s capacity for integration.

Special Considerations and Advanced Techniques

Advanced eye work may involve working with specific trauma categories that have characteristic visual components. Car accidents often result in forward fixation patterns, assault may create hypervigilant scanning, and early medical procedures can leave patterns of frozen terror in the eyes.

Working with bonding and attachment issues requires special sensitivity as eye contact activates the most primitive and vulnerable aspects of human connection. This work often needs to be approached very gradually, sometimes beginning with looking in the same direction rather than direct eye contact.

Integration of eye work with other SE interventions can be particularly powerful. Combining eye movements with breathing patterns, voice work, or gentle movement can enhance the therapeutic effect while maintaining nervous system regulation.

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Conclusion

Working with eyes in Somatic Experiencing represents a sophisticated therapeutic tool that requires deep understanding of visual system neurobiology, traumatic processes, and SE methodology principles. When applied competently and with respect for contraindications, this approach can enable access to deeply rooted traumatic content and facilitate significant changes in the client’s capacity for orientation, regulation, and connection.

Successful application of eye work depends on careful assessment of client readiness, gradual preparation through standard SE work, and skillful navigation between activation and deactivation during the process. This work requires from the therapist not only technical skills but also deep sensitivity to subtle signs of the client’s nervous system and ability to quickly adapt approach according to current needs.

Eye work is not just a technique but a comprehensive approach that integrates ancient wisdom about the importance of vision for human functioning with modern understanding of neurobiology and traumatic processes. Through this work, we enable clients to reclaim their natural right to clear seeing, flexible orientation, and deep connection with their own experience and environment.

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